Automatic guiding attachment for automobiles.



I. I. FOSHA.. AUTOMATIC GUIDING ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 4, I916.

Patented Sept. 18, 1917.

aw. w. bug-a0 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRVIN J. FOSHA, OF MADISON -'I'OW1\TSHIP, RILEY COUNTY, KANSAS.

AUTOMATIC GUIDING ATTACHMENT FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Specification ofLetters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18, 1917.

Application filed October 4, 1916. Serial No. 123,766.

which the following is a specification, refer- I ence being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof.

My invention relates to devices for steering automobiles and the object is to proride an attachment which automatically guides the vehicle to a straight course should the driver relinquish or lose control of the regular steering mechanism.

. I accomplish this object by means of the device hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which,

Figure 1 is a plan view of my invention attached to the front axle and steering rod of an automobile;

Fig. 2, a rear elevation of the same; and,

Fig. 3, a side sectional view on the line X X of Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the several views.

I preferably employ plate 1 secured to the axle 4 by means of clevises 2 and 3 as a basis for applying my device to the vehicle although other suitable means may be employed for that purpose without departing from the principles involved in my invention which consists of a pair of jaws 5 and 6 pivoted at their front ends to said plate at 7 and 8. Each of said jaws at its rearend extends rearward of said plate about twelve or fourteen inches and is bent outward and downward forming lip 9 at nearly a right angle thereto. To each of such lips is attached one end of the spring 10 by means of which said jaws are drawn back to their normal position when freed after having been separated as hereinafter described. The arm 11 pivoted to said plate at 12 and provided with anti-friction roller 13 as aside bearing between said jaws, extends nearly to the steering rod 14 where it is engaged by connecting rod 15 freely passing through slot 16 in said arm and held by nut 17 from disengaging therefrom. To the opposite end of rod 15 is rigidlysecured the shorter arm 18 secured to the steering rod 14 by means of clevis 19.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the The spring 10 is not designed to be stifl enough to interfere with steering the vehicle in the ordinary manner and when running in any direction excepting straight ahead or backward one of said jaws 5 and 6 is forced outward by pressure of arm 11 in the direction which the vehicle is turning, thereby applying tension to said spring which when such force is removed again closes said jaws and forces the vehicle back to track true.

In applying my device plate-1 is firmly secured to the front axle of the vehicle by means of clevises 2 and 3 with arm 11 extending toward the steering rod 14, the vehicle being caused to track true, arm 18 is then firmly secured to steering rod liby means of clevis 19.

It is designed to have spring 10 of sufficient strength to return and retain the vehicle in a true tracking position under all conditions when released by accident or otherwise' from control of the driver as also to assist the driver in maintaining a straight course in the desired direction as against sudden swerving caused by obstruction in the roadway. These advantages greatly aid in overcoming the dangers incident to breakage of the regular steering mechanism or loss of control of such mechanism in any other manner, thereby often preventing serious injury to persons and vehicle.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is,-

In a device of the class described, the combination with a supporting plate adapted to be secured to a vehicle axle, of a pair of jaws pivotally supported at one end on said plate at separated points in spaced, parallel relation, the free ends of said jaws being flared outwardly, ing the said flaring ends of the aws, .an arm pivoted at one end to said plate at a point between said jaws and adapted to be connected at its free end with the steering rod of the vehicle, and a roller mounted on said arm between its pivot .point and point of connection with the steering rod and bearing against the inside faces of said jaws.

IRVIN J. FOSHA.

Witnesses:

JOHN FOSHA, 'Ennre FOSHA.

Washington, D. G.

a tension spring connect- 

